Mathias' brother, Nicholas Gans, is Memorial # 129214318 and his brother, John M. is Memorial # 08577844.

St. Cloud Daily Times, April 26, 1906. THE SUFFERER IS AT REST. Mathias Gans, Old and Respected Resident of Stearns County Dies at 2:18 Thursday. Rest came at 2:18 this Thursday afternoon to the weary, worn out sufferer, who for several years has been an invalid, and who for some months has been in a critical condition. Mathias Gans died at his residence in this city at the above hour. The deceased was one of the best-known and most highly respected citizens of St. Cloud and Stearns county. He had resided here for about 40 years, honored by all who knew him, and living a blameless life. He leaves a wife and large family, among his sons, Rev. Father Peter Gans, of Alexandria, and Rev. Father Leo Gans, of St. Paul seminary, John Gans, of Little Falls, and Hubert Gans of this city. His sons and daughters reflect credit upon him and will honor his memory. The Times will print a biography of the deceased tomorrow.

St. Cloud Times, Fri. Apr. 27, 1906. THE STORY OF AN EXAMPLARY LIFE. Not Great, as the World Regards Greatness, but in Book of Life is a Spotless Record. SUCH WAS MATHIAS GANS WHO DIED THURSDAY AFTERNOON. 50 Years in State – A Good Citizen, Faithful Public Officer, a Loving Husband and Father. In the death of Mathias Gans, which occurred Thursday afternoon, St. Cloud and Stearns county loses on e of its most notable and notable citizens, indeed it would be hard to find in any county of the state a man whose life would parallel that of the deceased, a life well rounded out with all that goes to make up noble character, the sacrifices throughout his career on behalf of his family being one of the many characteristics which has endeared him to his friends and stamped him as the ideal husband and father. He was a man of business ability, and was prominently identified with the early history of Stearns county, having honorably filled public office and always occupied a prominent position in the Catholic church, of which he was a member.

Came Here Young Man. Mathias Gans was born in Budesheim province of Treves, Prussia, on Dec. 18, 1829. In his early youth is parents kept him in school, and when he reached his majority he had acquired a good education. He received his first training in Budesheim and after that went to Brihl not far from there where he took a special course of training as a teacher. He taught school in the old country, but on account of sickness his physician advised him to remove to the Untied States. He consequently came to America in the spring of 1854, and located at Chicago. He was then 24 years of age. He worked for some time in a brickyard there, his education not being such that he could find employment at once as a teacher. He was, however, offered a position which would pay him well as a singer in one of the churches of Chicago, possessing as he did a pure, sweet tenor voice. But he decided to go south and in the fall of 1854, went to New Orleans, where he worked in a lumbering camp for a year or so.

Located in Minnesota. He returned from the south in the spring of 1856, and located at St. Anthony Falls. They were then laying out the town site of Mendota and he worked around there for about a year, coming to Stearns county in the spring of 1857. He settled on a claim in the town of St. Joseph and for some nine years taught school in the towns of St. James and Wakefield. During this time he also had charge of the music in the churches at St. Martin and St. James, and for years was closely identified with musical matters in Stearns county.

Married in 1863. In June 1863, he was married to Miss Mary E. Pung, of St. Joseph, and the following winter he went to work in the copper mines in the Lake Superior regions. He worked there for two winters, returning to Stearns county at intervals to look after business matters.

First Public Office. Mrs. Gans held his first public office in 1867, being elected to the office of town clerk of St. Joseph. This office he held for a number of years until he was elected county treasurer in the year 1870, which office he filled with credit for eight years. After he had completed his tenure of office he bought what was known as the Boardman farm at Sauk Rive in the year 1879, and it was on this farm that he lived until he moved to the city a short time ago. His ability as a farmer is evidenced from the fact that out of the proceeds of this farm he educated all of his children, thirteen in number. They are a credit and honor to their father. His failing health in later years compelled him to abandon the farm, and he disposed of the same in December 1905, and moved to the city last month.

Sick For Long Time. The deceased had been sick for about five years and had many sinking spells, but would revive. The past ten days he sank rapidly and it was finally observed that death was a matter of only a few days. With the exception of two sons, Norbert and Joseph, every member of the family was at his bedside when the end finally came. The two sons absent made a strenuous effort to be here, but could not succeed, Norbert arriving this morning from Spokane. Joseph is expected tonight or tomorrow from Uniontown WA.

Family of the Deceased. The family left to mourn the loss of a kind and indulgent father and loving husband care his wife, his two brothers, Nicholas Gans of West Union, and John M. Gans, of LeSauk town, and thirteen children, nine sons and four daughters. The children are Prof. John Gans, Little Falls; Hubert Gans, St. Cloud; Joseph Gans, Uniontown WA; Rev. Father Peter Gans, of Alexandria; Michael Gans, Perham; Mrs. W.L. Morton, Staples; Dr. Edward Gans, Eveleth; Rev. Dr. Leo Gans, of St. Paul Seminary; Nestor Gans, Warrington ND; Norbert Gans, Spokane; and Misses Anna, Minnie and Rose Gans, of this city. The deceased was a member of no societies, but he was for many years director of the Concordia club, a singing society, which was stipulated one of the best organizations of the kind in the sate of Minnesota at one time. He had always been … identified with musical matters, taking an active interest in such affairs in the early days of his life in Stearns county.

A Notable Event. One of the notable events in his life, which is referred to by those who lived in Stearns county forty years ago, was enacted during the grasshopper plague; that visited this vicinity. There was hardly a living bud or grain in the county so great was the disaster that had been wrought and finally a pilgrimage was established at Sauk River; a temporary chapel erected and one of the greatest processions ever witnessed occurred, people coming by the thousands from all parts of the country. At that time Rt. Bishop Trobec was a missionary and was present in the occasion mentioned. The part referred to in the incident in which Mr. Gans figured prominently was regarding the music. He got a large choir together and they gave Mozart's Twelfth Mass, and the impressiveness and solemnity of the occasion will never be forgotten by those were present. The heavens seemed to have opened up and the story goes that after that date the plague abated. It was a memorable occasion and the singing of this mass one of the greatest efforts ever attempted in this state, especially under such circumstances.

The Funeral Service. Arrangements for the funeral have been perfected. The services will be held on Monday morning at 9 o'clock at the Cathedral. Revs. Father Peter Gans and Rev. Dr. Leo Gans, sons of the deceased, will officiate at the requiem mass.